And in 2021, then-President Biden signed legislation into law to make Juneteenth, or June 19, a federal holiday.
Biden’s signature made Juneteenth the country’s 12th federal holiday — and the first new one created since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983.
But there have been questions about whether President Trump — who has made attacking diversity, equity and inclusion efforts a cornerstone of his agenda — would try and rollback Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Which brings us to a broader question: Should white people celebrate Juneteenth?
Should white people celebrate Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a holiday observed on Thursday to commemorate the day on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, when the last American slaves were formally informed that they were free.
In addition, it has evolved into a day to honor Black history, culture, and solidarity, as my colleague Kevinisha Walker stated last year.
For over 150 years, Black communities have commemorated Juneteenth. However, following the racial reckoning brought on by George Floyd’s 2020 murder at the hands of Minneapolis police, it became more well-known nationwide.
Many private businesses declared they would be providing their employees with the day off in the same year.
Additionally, legislation to declare Juneteenth, or June 19, a federal holiday was signed into law by then-President Biden in 2021. With his signature, Biden established Juneteenth as the nation’s 12th federal holiday, the first since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was founded in 1983.
However, some have questioned whether President Trump, who has made disparaging efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion a key component of his agenda, would attempt to remove Juneteenth from the list of federal holidays.
Professor Jessica Levinson of Loyola Marymount University’s Law School disagrees, saying Trump would not be able to accomplish that on his own.
Levinson explained that while presidents can sign and veto bills and make recommendations, they are not able to unilaterally create or repeal laws. “Congress creates and abolishes federal holidays,” Levinson said.
Juneteenth celebration in L. 1.
Los Angeles is hosting several Juneteenth events this Thursday and this weekend, such as a Juneteenth Freedom Ride bike event in Leimert Park, a panel discussion and exhibit on reparations for descendants of enslaved African Americans at the California African American Museum, and a celebration of Black women athletes at the Autry Museum.
Additionally, admission to all national parks and forests will be free.
Foods with red hues, such as red velvet cake, barbecue, and watermelon, are usually connected to Juneteenth.
As my colleague Danielle Dorsey previously reported, there are a variety of theories regarding the origins of this tradition.
“Some say that it honors the bloodshed and suffering of enslaved ancestors, while others think that early celebrants just used readily available, in-season ingredients that just so happened to be red,” Dorsey wrote in 2023.
Melina Abdullah, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter-LA, stated during a Juneteenth celebration at BLM-LA’s Center for Black Power in Leimert Park that she and other members of her group would be “restoring ourselves in the midst of the chaos that’s swirling around in the world.”.
Only Black people will be able to attend the free event, according to Abdullah.
The question of whether white people should celebrate Juneteenth is thus raised.
Should Juneteenth be celebrated by white people?
On the subject, there are differing views. For example, activist and author Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman believes that “White people should celebrate this holiday in the way that centers Black Americans.”. “”.
Abdullah’s perspective was more limited.
Abdullah stated, “White people shouldn’t be showing up at a Black party and eating our food today.”.
“White people should pay reparations if they want to celebrate or commemorate Juneteenth,” Abdullah said, recommending that they make donations to Black organizations.
“We are grateful for our freedom. Abdullah added, “We shouldn’t have to make everyone else feel at ease with that at this time. This holiday is unique to African Americans. “.”.
today’s most important stories.
The Dodgers’ owner is purchasing the Lakers’ majority stake in the team.
The Lakers are valued at approximately $10 billion, which is a record for a professional sports team, and the deal is anticipated to go through.
The two top professional sports teams in the city will now be run by Mark Walter and TWG Global.
Bill Plaschke wrote, “The Lakers had a great ride with the Buss family.”. The Dodgers’ owner, however, will revitalize the team. “”.
One person who was taken aback by the news was Dave Roberts, the manager of the Dodgers. He expressed his opinions about Walter’s potential contributions to the Lakers.
It was already clear that the 2025 wildfire season in California would be hazardous. It’s gotten worse under Trump.
According to forecasts, California could see a significant increase in fire activity this year due to hot, dry weather.
Meanwhile, three federal agencies that are essential to the state’s capacity to prevent and respond to fires have been undermined by President Trump.
According to experts, the U.S. S. California may be at serious risk during fire season due to the Forest Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Examining the facts behind Trump’s unfounded claims of voting fraud in Louisiana: Can undocumented immigrants vote? a.
On Sunday, Trump claimed in a Truth Social post that Los Angeles and “other such cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use illegal aliens to expand their voter base, cheat in elections, and grow the welfare state, robbing good paying jobs and benefits from hardworking American citizens…”. “”.
But that’s just not true, according to election officials in Los Angeles County.
“The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s office issued a statement stating that the claim is unfounded and unsupported, and it only serves to generate unfounded anxiety and misunderstanding regarding the electoral process.”.
California fields are looming with uncertainty and confusion as the summer harvest season begins.
Farmers and their employees say they feel torn by a flurry of conflicting signals about how the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration may impact them as California’s pivotal summer harvest season begins.
Both growers and their employees became concerned when federal immigration officers raided Oxnard’s berry fields last week and arrested 40 farmworkers.
The fear of being rounded up and deported, away from their families and means of subsistence, was great among farm workers, many of whom had been residents and workers in their communities for decades.
And what else is happening?
Metro is frantically trying to secure funds for its enormous fleet of buses, which is the centerpiece of its Olympic plans.
According to a UCLA forecast, immigration raids and tariffs will cause California’s economy to shrink.
Will employers who hire undocumented workers face penalties?
Eric Bauman, 66, was the former chair of the Democratic Party of California and Los Angeles.
The number of peacocks at Rancho Palos Verdes dramatically increased. Officials intend to reduce their workforce.
L. A. A county supervisor is concerned that residents are being terrorized by “bad players” rather than ICE.
The Supreme Court supports red-state legislation that prohibits transgender teenagers from using hormones.
Columnist LZ Granderson says, “Black artists are stepping up. Where’s the music that meets this moment?”.
How does today’s immigration raids relate to Juneteenth, asks guest columnist Vivek Maru?
The essential readings for this morning.
Hollywood Inc.
Inside the court cases surrounding Elvis Presley’s financial legacy is the Heartbreak estate.
The conflicting lawsuit is the most recent in a series of legal disputes that Priscilla and the Presley heirs have been embroiled in since Elvis passed away almost fifty years ago, leaving a financial legacy as complex and tumultuous as the King’s life.
other essential readings.
According to a recent Hollywood study, streaming movies are more diverse than theaters.
Joey Santiago wants to get into that “frame of mind.” Is a new Pixies classic imminent? ‘.
for your free time.
heading out.
Restaurants: Hermosa Beach has become a culinary destination with the opening of the new Vin Folk.
Fashion: The best L and summertime outfits. 1. vintage finds, as stylist Bin X puts it. nguyen.
residing indoors.
Books: Megan Abbott’s mystery “El Dorado Drive” about suburban women entangled in the Wheel pyramid scheme shows how greed and grift can have fatal results.
Recipes: Molly Baz’s pistachio, brown butter, and halva chocolate chunk cookies can be made with these ingredients.
Get our word search, sudoku, crossword puzzle, and arcade games for free every day.
At last, dot. out of our records.
In 1865, on June 19, Union Army Major Gen. General Order No. allowed Gordon Granger to enter Galveston, Texas. 3. a declaration to inform the state’s enslaved Black citizens that they were free in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation’s terms.
As we mentioned above, the day has been celebrated annually since 1866 as Juneteenth, a combination of the words June and nineteenth.
About their first Juneteenth and why it’s a day they’ll never forget, Black Angelenos were interviewed by The Times in 2021.
The Essential California team wishes you a wonderful day.
Editor for multiple platforms, Kevinisha Walker.
Andrew Campa, writer for Sunday.
Head of newsletters, Karim Doumar.
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